CALPIRG-backed bill for prescription drug price transparency heads to the Governor’s desk

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Emily Rusch

Vice President and Senior Director of State Offices, The Public Interest Network

CALPIRG

Statement by Executive Director Emily Rusch:

Soaring prices for prescription drugs are driving up health care costs for all of us. Experts agree that prices often have no correlation to what the manufacturer spends to research, develop, and educate physicians about their drugs. We are being charged the highest prices the manufacturers think they can get away with. And far too often, the price of medicine increases with no notice to purchasers or consumers.

We applaud the legislature for passing SB 17, authored by State Senator Ed Hernandez, to require the prescription drug companies to give 60-day advance notice before they increase prices, and require an explanation for the increase. With this bill, California is pulling back the curtain to expose surprise price hikes before they happen.

The entire health industry depends on transparency and accountability to rein in high costs and deliver the best care to consumers. Prescription drugs are no different. We urge Governor Jerry Brown to sign SB 17 without delay.

Here’s a recent blog post about SB 17 from Emily.